Like Hals’ cavalier with reputation as an object of ridicule (8,5)
I believe the answer is:
laughing stock
'object of ridicule' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for laughing stock that I've seen before include "Object of ridicule" , "Object to joke" , "Target of ridicule" , "inhabitants of funny farm?" , "Butt of ridicule" .)